Investigators say the hazing happened during an "initiation party" at an off-campus apartment complex just across the street from SUNY Geneseo.

Tuesday evening's court proceedings took only a few minutes; some of the suspects pleaded not guilty in person while others were represented by their attorneys.

Tom Eoannou, who represents Alexandra Wende of Clarence, said between now and the next court appearance in November, he and other defense attorneys will meet with the prosecutor. He hopes to make a plea deal.

"You would hope that at the end of the day the prosecutor does not choose to stigmatize these young ladies with criminal convictions," Eoannou said. "They all have careers. They're all going to college. Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt. There are a lot of remedies short of a criminal conviction that can be looked at here."